Ame Hamzah, 51, is alleged to have committed the offence at No.35 & 35A, Jalan 1, Taman Raden Jaya, Tanjong Karang, between April 14 and Oct 13 last year.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum RM10 million fine or 10 years jail, or both, under section 25(1) of the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989.

Ame Hamzah also pleaded not guilty on behalf of Buluhmas, an advertising agency, on a similar charge.

Bank Negara prosecuting officer Stanley Clement Augustin objected to bail as it is a non-bailable offence.

However, defence counsel Yunus Sharif said the court could exercise its discretion as his client was not likely to abscond.

He said the charge did not disclose any amount of deposits involved and his client had cooperated fully in the investigation.

He said Ame Hamzah and his family were in dire financial straits after all his personal and company assets and accounts were frozen and Ame Hamzah only managed to borrow RM50,000 from his friends to post bail.

Judge Yong Zarida Sazali allowed bail of RM50,000 in two sureties, impounded his passport and ordered that he report to the nearest police station on the first day of every month pending the disposal of the case.